[Harp-L] one chord instrumental jams

[icemanle@xxxxxxx]

One chord songs - how do you solo over them? Interesting challenge. 
 
This is similar to what Miles Davis introduced to the jazz world with his exploration of modal music - "Kind of Blue" project.
 
It is both limiting and freeing at the same time. Limiting in a sense if you rely on chord changes to propel your ideas. Freeing in that, once you are comfortable with the mode/scale/tone center, there are no "avoid" notes.
 
To sustain interest, it almost forces one to think outside of one's own box and leave the "licks" behind.
 
The Iceman 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: harplicks@xxxxxxxxx


Your story reminded me of the time I attended one
of Magic Dave Therault's shows one night down in
Denver a few years ago, and he called up to join
him for an encore song... it was a one-chord
instrumental jam! Caught me off-guard at first, but
once I got ahold of the thing it was an utter blast
and a true crowd-pleaser as we traded licks into
the night. 

 They played an 
> African blues song (not
> African-American...AFRICAN) with only one chord,
> G. 
> I'm thinking, "What have I gotten myself into?  I
> can't solo over one 
> chord!"  Actually, it took me a couple of minutes
> to even figure out how to 
> accompany over one chord.  
________________________________________________________________________
Check out the new AOL.  Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.